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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

TEDxQurum showcases Sultanate’s hidden gems

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MUSCAT, Nov 15 - Ahead of the 47th National Day celebrations, the Omani society, for the first time, learned about the unsung heroes in its own backyard. The TEDxQurum event held at the National Museum brought before the people the amazing men and women, and their creative ideas hitherto unknown to the community at large.


“Our aim is to participate in the National Day celebrations by bringing to the forefront many amazing people and ideas hitherto unknown. This is our gift to Oman and its people,” said Nasreen Khalid, Lead Curator of TEDxQurum.


TEDxQurum, a non-profit, independently organised six-hour event, indeed succeeded in showcasing many hidden gems.


It hosted 12 speakers from different areas of expertise. Dr Amer al Rawas, CEO of Tasneea, spoke about the economic outlook of Omani youth. Kamilya al Lamki, a consultant at the Ministry of Education, urged parents to “shift their children from out of their own boxes” and allow them to be inspired.


Sua’ad al Harthi, an activist and programme director, Environmental Society of Oman (ESO), encouraged audience to sing the song of the humpback whales’ conservation.


Akram al Maawali, Protocol and Liason Manager, Omani Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) and an advocate of those with disabilities, reprogrammed the minds of the disabled by recreating images and impressions people generally have of those with disabilities.

He was joined on stage by Sultan al Amri, a sign-language presenter for Oman TV. Akram and Sultan challenged the audience’s ideas of language and communication.


Another highlight was Fahad al Abri, a personal trainer and adventurer. He walked onto the TEDxQurum stage and as his title slide appeared, he flipped himself over into a handstand and literally flipped the audiences’ world upside down.


“We lost our sense of getting connected to the ground using our hands. The handstand takes us back: it connects us to our roots,” he said.


Rabab al Lawati, an Omani emcee and a volunteer of TEDxQurum, said: “I was truly humbled and grateful to emcee for this outstanding event. It was a celebration of Oman, its people, our many innovations and those Omani ideas are worth spreading. I was honoured to be part of this team, its challenges and accomplishments.”


KABEER YOUSUF


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